Newcastle hoping for sibling success

The Ameobi brothers Shola and Sami are hoping they can fire Newcastle to Europa League success starting with a victory against Maritimo on Thursday.

Alan Pardew leads his side into the final group game and are looking for a morale boosting victory to get their stuttering season back on track.

The two siblings ran the show last time out in the Europa League when they drew 2-2 with Club Brugge, with Shola edging a goal closer to Alan Shearer’s all-time top European tally of 14 goals.

“It will not just be good for us, it will be good for the team,” younger brother Sami told the Chronicle.

“There is always good combination play between us.

“We want to continue in the Europa League and progress. It is important the team gets into the next stage.”

The brothers have had limited time to impress in the same team since they first did so in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea back in May 2011.

Shola and Sami proved a hit last time out in Belgium and are looking to further continue their success when they come up against the Madeira-based club.

Shola Ameobi is still fresh from his long awaited debut for Nigeria last Wednesday where he helped the Super Eagles to a 3-1 friendly victory against Venezuela in Miami at the Marlins Park baseball stadium.